Upgraded Lighting = Reduced Costs

Warehouses and distribution centers inherently ebb and flow with many spaces within these facilities often sitting unused for extended periods.  Because of this, making sure that you are not lighting unused spaces is an essential part of improving the overall efficiency of the facility.  On average, lighting can account for more than 60% of the energy use within a Distribution Center or Warehouse and can contribute tens of thousands of dollars to the overall energy consumption of the average warehouse, more than almost any other expense.

The main contributors to that energy waste is failing to use modern energy-efficient LED bulbs and fixtures, and even the simplest of lighting controls.  Implementing equipment like dimming controls, daylight harvesting and occupancy sensors, and motion controls can lower or remove lighting at low use times and spaces.  When you combine these controls with LED lighting you will significantly increase your overall efficiency, cut operational costs, and even improve workplace safety. 

By contrast warehouses and distribution centers that don’t utilize lighting controls and LED lighting are wasting electricity and money.  By upgrading your lighting, you can reduce your energy consumption by more than 90% in some cases, per a recent industry case study. 

This study found that a distribution center owner upgraded a 45,000-sf facility with lighting controls that dimmed or turned off lights in unused spaces after 30 seconds.  Dimmers were also utilized to take advantage of existing lighting from windows and skylights.  The owners also took advantage of newer LED lighting technology that pairs well with control systems because they turn off and on instantly.  The combination of these strategies ultimately led to significant savings, improved lighting and a return on investment that rivaled any other cost savings measure available. 

Why use LED Lighting?

The latest LED lighting fixtures provide superior performance in almost every way over their older metal halide and fluorescent cousins.  Their increased lifespan means you will replace them less, and decrease your maintenance costs.  They are directional lighting sources, which means you can put light where you need it the most as opposed to just flooding light everywhere.  They also produce far less heat, which makes temperature maintenance simpler and less costly in refrigerated or cooled spaces.

In summary, combining LED lighting and modern control systems allows owners of warehouse and distribution centers to maximize their lighting performance while lowering their overall energy consumption.  Many high use facilities, in our experience, have paid back their initial project investments in under 2 years.  And with available rebates, financing options, and even performance based cost sharing programs getting these projects completed is easier than ever. 

Superior Energy and Control can design a solution that is right for you, even offering a free initial survey of your location, and installation of pilot fixtures in your facility.  (Learn More) Contact one of our Lighting Consultants to learn more about how we can help you get your project moving forward.